WORCESTER — The City Council used a report detailing police incidents at the Midtown Mall to criticize its owner, Dean Marcus, in an attempt to prod Mr. Marcus to either make improvements to the property or sell it.

Councilor-at-Large Frederick C. Rushton, chairman of the council's Economic Development Committee, Tuesday night went so far as to call Mr. Marcus "an embarrassment as a property owner in downtown Worcester."

He said Mr. Marcus needs to make a decision on whether he wants to "get with the times" and the progress being made in the downtown or simply sell the properties he owns.

"Let's cut to the chase: The landlord treats the property like an oversized trash can," Mr. Rushton said of the Midtown Mall. "It's dirty, it's filthy and it's run-down. He has a complete lack of respect for the progress that is going on around him.

"We also shouldn't tolerate the type of behaviors that have been occurring inside that mall," he continued. "Unfortunately, the filthy, grimy exteriors of the shops attract grimy-type behavior. These are frank, blunt terms, but (Mr. Marcus) needs to hear this. I encourage the administration to work with Mr. Marcus if he wants to get out of being a slumlord."

Mr. Marcus could not be reached by telephone for comment Tuesday night.

In a report to the City Council, Police Chief Gary J. Gemme pointed out that through Sept. 25 there have been 49 police-related incidents and four arrests this year at the Midtown Mall and other properties Mr. Marcus owns on Front and Mechanic streets.

The chief said seven of those incidents involved disorderly conduct; there also was one assault and a domestic dispute call. Of the four arrests, three were on warrants.

Meanwhile, there were 87 total police-related incidents at those properties in 2012, with six arrests, according to the chief.

Of those calls, 20 incidents involved some type of disorderly conduct, 13 were property crime incidents and four involved physical assaults. There were also six arrests; one for larceny and two for drugs.

Councilor-at-Large Konstantina B. Lukes, who requested the police report, said she found it "somewhat disturbing," especially considering that the Midtown Mall is right across the street from City Hall.

"This certainly doesn't present our best profile in terms of encouraging people to invest in downtown Worcester," Mrs. Lukes said. "We need to send a letter to this landlord with this (police) information, indicating that this City Council is concerned about the activities and the lack of supervision in that facility."

District 2 Councilor Philip P. Palmieri said the police report was "troubling to say the least." He said it is discouraging to see such activity occurring in the center of a downtown where nearly $1 billion is being invested.

The councilor asked whether the city could require the Midtown Mall to have a police officer in the building so there are fewer incidents, so people feel more comfortable going there.

"This isn't what we'd like to see in our downtown as we continue to grow," Mr. Palmieri said. "I agree that some kind of public safety component is needed for this mall. This is an important and serious issue. But I don't sense that we're going to have much more positive progress in the Midtown Mall unless stronger steps are taken to alleviate ongoing issues that continue to permeate there."

City Manager Michael V. O'Brien said one problem the city has in dealing with some downtown property owners is that they are looking to sell at 300 percent to 400 percent above what the market will bear for the revitalization of those properties.

Meanwhile, District 3 Councilor George J. Russell said given the way some of his colleagues and city officials have described conditions at the Midtown Mall, he questioned why the city assesses the property so high, at $2.9 million.

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